THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) has arrested two more Chinese nationals for allegedly kidnapping their fellow countrymen.

Major Rannie Lumactod, AKG spokesperson, said suspects Weng Zhiting and Cheng Guo have devised a new scheme to abduct other Chinese nationals and demand ransom for their release.

They were arrested on August 9 in an operation conducted by the AKG in coordination with the local police in a rented house in BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City.

Weng was injured when he attempted to escape by jumping out a window.

Rescued during the operation were Jiang Xiao Hao and Li Weizu.

AKG Luzon Field Unit chief Villaflor Banawagan said they identified five more suspects and were hunting them down.

The operation stemmed from the complaint filed by Yang Lingyu before the AKG.

Yang said her husband Jiang was abducted and that the suspects were demanding for RMB500,000 or around P3.5 million in exchange for his release.

Banawagan said the victim Jiang narrated that he had several currency exchange transactions with the suspects before his abduction.

The suspects allegedly offered to change the victim’s money into either Philippine peso or Chinese renminbi at a rate much higher than prevailing market rates. Transactions were done online.

After several online transactions, Jiang said they had a face-to-face meeting on August 7. The suspects allegedly dragged him to a vehicle and brought him to the house from where he was later rescued.

Banawagan said the suspects mauled the victims and sent a video footage of the beating to the families.

The arrested suspects underwent inquest proceedings for kidnapping for ransom before the Department of Justice on Monday, August 10.

Officials believed the suspects are part of a large syndicate targeting their fellow Chinese visiting or working in the Philippines.

The AKG has arrested several Chinese nationals for the kidnapping of fellow Chinese nationals, especially those working in Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) companies. (SunStar Philippines)